McKinsey Application

Question

Hi all,

I applied to McKinsey in Feb 2017 and secured an interview then. However, I was rejected after the first round interview.

Now that 2 years have passed, I reapplied to McK and was rejected without even being invited to the PST. The same happened when I reapplied last year after the 1 year mark.

Would this mean that I’ve been ‘blacklisted’ by the company? I found this strange as I have more experience in my current role and has been promoted twice compared to 2017.

Your honest opinion would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi Anonymous,

as mentioned in other answers your rejections do not necessarily mean you have been blacklisted, it could be that HR simply did not see enough growth in your CV compared to the last application.

I would recommend the following:

1. Review your CV/Cover to be sure they are aligned with your growth path

2. Apply with a referral and/or potentially consider a less competitive office in case you are flexible with the location after the ban

3. Keep options open with other consulting firms unless you are already in strategy consulting. Even if you are targeting McKinsey as final goal, some years in other strategy consulting firms could help to make your CV more attractive.

Hope this helps,

Francesco

Answer 2

Hi,

It does not mean that you have been blacklisted. But it does mean that you should try to find a referral the next time you apply. It goes a long way!

Nirmit

Answer 3

Hi there,

It does not necessarily mean that you are blacklisted.

However, it may mean that your performance last time was below the threshold that they are not sure whether they want to give a second chance. You may want to find a referral considering you had many achievements after that interview.

Please note that this is just a hypothesis. Maybe there are some other reason(s).

Cheers
Serhat

Answer 4

Hi,

It's not that you are blacklisted but rather nothing has changed in your background since the last application. In order to be invited for the 2nd time you need to demonstrate something:

Career change
Career growth (e.g. you started managing people)
MBA
Some entrepreneurial initiative
etc

Best!

Answer 5

Hi A,

I don't think you've been blacklisted. You should think of improving your application process. Check if your CV shows your changes and development in past years.

Also, think of an opportunity to apply to another company.

Best, Andre

Answer 6

Hi there,

It doesn't mean that you're blacklisted unless you didn't do something bad during the interview.

I suggest you try to reapply with a referral next time and strengthen your CV with new achievements.

Do you need any further help?

All the best,

GB

Answer 7

Hallo, in Deutschland wurde er laut HR in den meisten Büros abgeschafft und wenn, dann wird ein Test nur für bestim... (read entire answer)

Hallo, in Deutschland wurde er laut HR in den meisten Büros abgeschafft und wenn, dann wird ein Test nur für bestimmte Practices verwendet. Die Aussage war von September '15.

Answer 8

Neil, I was an experienced hire as well, so can definitely relate. The hardest part for your will likely be to get... (read entire answer)

Neil, I was an experienced hire as well, so can definitely relate. The hardest part for your will likely be to get an interview. McK is probably most open, assuming you have a... (read entire answer)

Answer 9

Let me take a crack at this (in English) since no-one has addressed this. Top consultancies typically want the best... (read entire answer)

Let me take a crack at this (in English) since no-one has addressed this. Top consultancies typically want the best people regardless of their background. Yes, some roles are... (read entire answer)